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“Stop defending an abuser”: Zack Peter reacts after past interview of Taylor Frankie Paul about attacking Dakota Mortensen goes viral


A resurfaced interview clip featuring Taylor Frankie Paul discussing her past altercation with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, has intensified an already growing controversy surrounding the influencer.

The renewed attention comes just days after footage of the 2023 incident was made public, prompting widespread backlash and professional consequences. Social media personality Zack Peter weighed in strongly on March 21, 2026, sharing multiple posts reacting to the clip and the broader discourse around the case.

The situation has unfolded alongside major developments, including the cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette and halted production on related projects. As the debate escalated, Peter’s blunt reaction, “Stop defending an abuser”, captured the tone of one side of the online conversation.

More about Taylor Frankie Paul’s resurfaced footage and legal history

The renewed backlash follows the release of footage from a 2023 incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen. According to an exclusive by PEOPLE published on March 20, 2026, the video shows Paul throwing chairs during an altercation, with one reportedly striking her daughter.

Court documents cited by the outlet alleged that “heavy, metal chairs” were thrown during the incident. Taylor Frankie Paul was arrested in 2023 and faced misdemeanor charges related to domestic violence. She later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, according to reports referenced by the BBC on March 20, 2026.

The BBC also noted that the footage’s release prompted ABC to cancel her already-filmed season of The Bachelorette shortly before its scheduled premiere.

In a September 2025 Call Her Daddy interview referenced by PEOPLE, Paul described the incident as the “hardest time” in her life and stated she never intentionally harmed her children. She reportedly said,

“I never had hurt my daughter. I never intentionally did anything with my children”

Her representatives have also argued that the resurfaced video lacks context and have accused Mortensen of attempting to damage her reputation.

More about Zack Peter’s reactions

In a series of posts shared on March 20, 2026, Zack Peter criticized those defending Taylor Frankie Paul, referencing both the resurfaced video and her past statements about the incident. In one post, he claimed that Paul had previously described herself as the “aggressor” and argued that her guilty plea aligned with the available evidence.

Peter also expressed frustration at what he described as selective reactions online, stating that while he did not support Dakota Mortensen, he believed “the objective evidence shows Taylor is in the wrong.”

I genuinely do not like Dakota. But I hate that the Pro-Taylor people are so dense and dumb that they’re making me defend him because the objective evidence shows Taylor is in the wrong… And I unfortunately live in reality. ​They’re both awful. But she is far worse.

In another post, he added that “both can be victims and both be abusers,” but emphasized that their actions were not equal.

You can both be “victims” and both be “abusers,” yet their actions are not equal. The level of abuse is VERY different which is why only one of them has been arrested, charged, and pleaded guilty before a judge in a court of law.

The situation remains legally and publicly complex, with allegations made by both parties. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE on March 20, 2026, that there is an ongoing domestic assault investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen, with “allegations… made in both directions.”

Taylor Frankie Paul’s representatives have stated that she experienced “extensive mental and physical abuse” during the relationship and is now focused on protecting herself and her children. Meanwhile, Dakota Mortensen’s representatives have said his priority is ensuring the safety of their child.

The fallout has extended beyond legal proceedings into Paul’s professional life. In addition to the cancellation of The Bachelorette, production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused, and brand partnerships have been reconsidered following the video’s release.